There are no cookie-cutter examples of a successful evaluation, but there are things you can do to help your success.
Attitude
There are sound and valid reasons why a psychological evaluation is mandatory for bariatric surgery patients. Besides being required by your doctor and insurance company, the assessment is there to make sure you are successful in the long term.
“Psychological evaluation of patients before bariatric surgery is a critical step, not only to identify contraindications for surgery, but also — and more so — to better understand their motivation, readiness, behavioral challenges, and emotional factors that may impact their coping and adjustment through surgery and the associated lifestyle changes.” – Snyder, 2009
The evaluation can be invasive and uncomfortable, but it requires your cooperation. Coming in with the belief that the evaluation is a waste of time won’t help you, and it can be indicative of a resistance to follow up when you need help later.
Be Prepared
To move the evaluation process along as fast as possible, prepare in advance.
· Complete the required paperwork
· Bring a list of the prescription medication you are taking
· Bring your Insurance cards
· Think about the people who will be in your support network
· Prepare a list of goals in advance, or consider the reasons why you want the surgery
Be Honest
The uncomfortable nature of the evaluation can make being honest difficult. Some patients may fear that their responses are being over-interpreted or that things will be taken out of context. That is not what this assessment is about. This evaluation is meant to make sure that you have what you need to have the best possible surgical outcome.
Ask Questions
The evaluation is your chance to ask questions about the process, where to find help if you need it, or even learn about bariatric surgery itself. It can go a long way towards showing how much you are considering the implications of surgery if you ask questions.
Sources
Snyder A. G. (2009). Psychological assessment of the patient undergoing bariatric surgery. The Ochsner journal, 9(3), 144–148. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096263/